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INDIANAPOLIS — Coast Guard Seaman Aaron Such (pictured third from right) holds the Coast Guard Standard as Kelly Clarkson sings the national anthem before Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 2012. Such, who is assigned to Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., was selected to represent the Coast Guard in the military honor guard alongside other local service representatives. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Felicya Adams

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guardsman who is originally from Indiana, and also stationed there, represented the service in the joint military honor guard before the start of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Sunday evening.

Seaman Aaron Such, 30, who is currently assigned to Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., carried the Coast Guard Standard into the stadium and rendered honors while entertainer Kelly Clarkson sang the national anthem.

"To me, it was an honor to carry the Coast Guard Standard on the Super Bowl field," said Such, who is married to Brittney Such.  They have one daughter, 18-month-old Kaydence Olivia Such.

Such, who currently resides in Danville, Ind., is a native of Planfield, Ind., and graduated high school there in 1999.  After high school, Such enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2000 and served on active-duty since 2007.  He left the Army as a sergeant and joined the Coast Guard in August of 2011.

He reported for duty at Station Michigan City on Oct. 22, 2011, where he serves as a radio watchstander and is working on ice rescue and boat crewman qualifications.  He is on the waiting list to attend the Coast Guard's school for its operations specialist rating.

The Army Reserve unit at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., that was coordinating the honor guard contacted the command at Station Michigan City to acquire a Coast Guard representative.  To make things fair, all the interested station crewmembers put their names in a hat to decide who would represent the unit and the service, said Senior Chief Petty Officer Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Station Michigan City.  Such's name was the one that was picked.

"Seaman Such was a great candidate for this opportunity," said Polzin.  "He represents the station and the service exceptionally well and has been doing some really great work since he reported here in the summer."

Following the pre-game ceremonies, Such and the other members of the military honor guard were able to watch the game from the stands.  Although his favorite team is the Denver Broncos, Such said he was rooting for the New York Giants and was happy to see them beat the New England Patriots, 21-17.

Media Note: Media interested in interviewing Seaman Such should contact Chief Petty Officer Kyle Niemi, assistant public affairs officer for the 9th Coast Guard District, at 216-902-6020.

PITTSBURGH — The Coast Guard honored a World War II hero with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at an American Legion in Pittsburgh, Friday.

Thomas A. Vitale received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic efforts while helping exhausted and helpless survivors reach the safety of the USS Comanche during a torpedo attack on the S.S. Dorchester, Feb. 3, 1943.

"We were privileged to honor one of our Coast Guard heroes from WWII for distinguished bravery and selfless service," said Cmdr. Richard Timme, commanding officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh. "Mr. Vitale's actions are deserving of our recognition and are a shining example of the Coast Guard's crucial wartime service to the nation."

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.—Senior Chief Petty Officer Colleen McCarthy, (left), officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Kenosha, Wis., and Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Beatty, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Frankfort, Mich., pin new rank insignia on the collar of Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City during her advancement to senior chief petty officer, Feb. 2, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kody Felthoff.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.—Capt. Matthew Sibley (left), commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, Wis., congratulates Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City, after her advancement to senior chief petty officer on Feb. 1, 2012.  U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Kody Felthoff.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.—Rebecca Polzin, a native of Preston, Minn., and current officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., was advanced to the rate of senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Station Michigan City, today.

As officer-in-charge of Station Michigan City, Polzin ensures the 19 enlisted active-duty Coast Guardsmen and seven enlisted reservists assigned there successfully carry out the unit's missions: search and rescue; maritime law enforcement; ports, waterways, and coastal security; and marine environmental protection.

A 12-year Coast Guard veteran, Polzin has been stationed at six different units across the United States, including the Coast Guard Cutter Monomoy, aboard which she deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A native of Preston, Minn., Polzin graduated from Coast Guard Recruit Training Center Cape May, N.J., in September 1999. Polzin has her 100-ton Merchant Mariners license and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, fitness and health at Purdue University.

Her military decorations include one Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals and one Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

For more information, contact Coast Guard Station Michigan City at 219-879-8371.

HOUSTON - Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility at Ellington Field, Tuesday.

Sector Houston-Galveston is currently located at a 7-acre site on the Houston Ship Channel in Galena Park. A planning proposal completed in August 2008 recommended the relocation of the unit to Ellington Field.

“The facility will be more efficient, provide better working conditions for our personnel and be less vulnerable to heavy weather conditions,” said Capt. James Whitehead, commander of Sector Houston-Galveston.

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NEW ORLEANS — Master Chief Petty Officer Wayne P. Cogan receives a letter of retirement during an official ceremony at the National World War II Museum, Dec. 9, 2011. Most recently Cogan served as the armory special projects manager for Coast Guard Force Readiness Command. Cogan served in the New Orleans area for all 42 years of his Coast Guard career. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Benson.

NEW ORLEANS — Master Chief Petty Officer Wayne P. Cogan receives a commemorative sword during his official retirement ceremony at the National World War II Museum, Dec. 9, 2011. Most recently Cogan served as the armory special projects manager for Coast Guard Force Readiness Command. Cogan has served in the New Orleans area for all 42 years of his Coast Guard career. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Benson.

NEW ORLEANS  — A New Orleans native retired from the U.S. Coast Guard following 42 years of service during an official ceremony at the National World War II Museum, Friday.

Master Chief Petty Officer Wayne P. Cogan enlisted in the Coast Guard on Aug. 15, 1969. He has served in New Orleans for all 42 years of his Coast Guard career.

Cogan has served as a coxswain engineer, marine environmental protection coordinator and range coordinator. Most recently he was the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command armory special projects manager.

“It was rewarding to help Coast Guardsman fulfill their missions,” said Cogan.

Cogan’s units received a Presidential Unit Citation for their service during Hurricane Katrina and the outstanding Department of Transportation Unit Award.

“I will miss serving in the Coast Guard and being part of a team,” said Cogan.

Cogan is considering joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary and plans to retire in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS — Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, deputy commander, Atlantic Area, presents a painting to Steve Doering, NASA director, and Malcom Wood, deputy chief operating officer, during an awards ceremony honoring Deepwater Horizon investigation partners, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. Doering and Wood are assigned to the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility where they partnered with the Coast Guard and other agencies in the investigation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey J. Ranel.

NEW ORLEANS — Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, deputy commander, Atlantic Area, presents Stephen Turner, NASA safety and occupational health manager, with the Meritorious Public Service Award, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. The Meritorious Public Service Award is the second highest public service award and is given to recognize a substantial contribution to the Coast Guard that produced tangible results. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey J. Ranel.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard presents civilian awards to multiple investigation partners during a ceremony, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, for their part during the investigation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 

Among the awards presented was the Meritorious Public Service Award, which is the second highest public service award and is given to recognize unusual courage in advancing a Coast Guard mission, substantial contribution to the Coast Guard that produced tangible results and specific individual accomplishments that provide unique benefits to the public.

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MOBILE, Ala. — Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity, greets participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit as they board the cutter at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Nov. 29, 2011. The Alabama Commanders Summit included commanders from the state’s three military installations, Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base, as well as state commanders and state emergency officials. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity hosted participants of the Alabama Commanders Summit at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Tuesday.

The participants where given a tour of the Mobile port system as part of the annual summit and were also treated to a description of the Barbara Mabrity's capabilities and operational obligations from Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Carroll, commanding officer of the cutter.

"This is the first time the Coast Guard has hosted this recurring, working meeting of military base commanders and Alabama state leaders," said Capt. Tom Maine, commander of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile. "The Coast Guard plays a central role in the emergency response issues that are the focus of these meetings. Our unique coastal perspective and the chance to see Coast Guard capabilities were highlights for all participants."

The 175-foot Keeper Class Coastal Class Buoy Tenders represent the new wave in buoy tending. They are the first Coast Guard cutters equipped with Z-Drive propulsion units instead of the standard propeller and rudder configuration. They are designed to independently rotate 360 degrees. Combined with a thruster in the bow, they give the Keeper-Class cutters unmatched maneuverability.

PITTSBURGH — Members from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh take a photo with donated goods before delivering them to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Nov. 18, 2011. For 31 days, members collected approximately 134 pounds of canned goods, detergent and much more. The goods totaled more than 104 non-perishable items to donate to the food bank in preparation for the upcoming holidays. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j. g. Alanna McGovern.

PITTSBURGH — Member of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh held a Thanksgiving food drive from Oct. 17 to Nov. 17, 2011, to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 

The goods were taken to the food bank in Duquesne, where they were sorted and distributed to 11 counties throughout southwest Pennsylvania.

"Though we invest most of our time to the community primarily through maritime safety and security at the MSU, it made me happy to be able to help the community through a volunteer effort, as well as knowing that the Pittsburgh community will benefit from our contribution," said Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Cloutier, a boatswain's mate at MSU Pittsburgh.

Some of the daily operations at the food bank include deliveries, tracking, preparing orders and re-packaging food. With the help of MSU Pittsburgh and other donating organizations, the food bank is able to distribute approximately 21 million pounds of food per year.

METAIRIE, La. - Capt. Peter Gautier, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, provides official remarks for the dedication of the Blue Star Memorial Marker, Nov. 10, 2011. The Blue Star Memorial Program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Benson.

METAIRIE, La. - Capt. Peter Gautier (back row left) takes part in the presentation of a Blue Star Memorial with other servicemembers, the Jefferson Parish Council of Garden Club and Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng (right of Gautier), Nov. 10, 2011. The Blue Star Memorial Program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial of World War II. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Benson.

METAIRIE, La. — Members from the Coast Guard, U.S. Army and Navy participated with the Jefferson Parish Council of Garden Clubs, Inc., for the dedication of a Blue Star Memorial Marker, Thursday.

The Blue Star Memorial program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Gardern Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II.

"It is an honor to represent veterans from all services and the history of the Coast Guard," said Capt. Peter Gautier, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.

The program was expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving or would serve in the armed services of the United States.

There are a total of 79 Blue Star memorials dedicated in Louisiana. Ten of those are located in Jefferson Parish, with more being planned.

MOBILE, Ala. — Cmdr. Thomas MacDonald, executive officer of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, assists Luke Wiedeman in steering his way through a flight simulator, Nov. 7, 2011. Crewmembers from ATC Mobile worked with the Mobile chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help Luke realize his dream of becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Luke was able to take part in training with the swimmers, navigate high-tech flight simulators and participate in a search-and-rescue demonstration. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — The crew of a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile hoists Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Foss and Luke Wiedeman as part of a search-and-rescue demonstration, Nov. 7, 2011. Crewmembers from ATC Mobile worked with the Mobile chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help Luke realize his dream of becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Luke was able to take part in training with the swimmers, navigate high-tech flight simulators and participate in a search-and-rescue demonstration. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — Cmdr. Thomas MacDonald, executive officer of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, presents Luke Wiedeman with a letter of appreciation for his time spent at the training center, Nov. 7, 2011. Crewmembers from ATC Mobile worked with the Mobile chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help Luke realize his dream of becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Luke was able to take part in training with the swimmers, navigate high-tech flight simulators and participate in a search-and-rescue demonstration. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard and the Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed up to make the dream of an 11-year-old boy come true at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Tuesday.

Coast Guard crewmembers from ATC Mobile brought Luke Wiedeman into their ranks to teach him what it takes to be a Coast Guard aviation survival technician. 

Wiedeman was trained in the proper way to signal search and rescue aircraft and enter and exit rescue baskets by the professional rescue swimmers of the training center.

Wiedeman was also allowed to pilot the high-tech flight simulators used to teach Coast Guard pilots all over the U.S.

As part of a training exercise, Wiedeman was taken to the site of a simulated search and rescue case by a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and crew where he became an active participant in the exercise. 

"I performed a rescue. Not many people get to do that," said Wiedeman. "I'd like to thank the Coast Guard, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the friendly people of Mobile."